Mick Fanning shark attack: Surfer’s online response after attack

MICK Fanning has heaped praise on fellow Aussie surfer Julian Wilson and admitted his escape from a shark was “the scariest thing” he’s experienced.

The shark approaches Fanning.

MICK Fanning has written about his escape from a shark attack on Instagram, heaping praise on fellow Australian surfer Julian Wilson and admitting the incident was “by far the scariest thing” he’s experienced.

Fanning was competing in the final of a world tour event at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa this week when he was knocked off his board by a shark and forced to fight for his life. He punched the shark twice, and was eventually hoisted to safety without any injuries.

MORE: World reacts to ‘badass’ Fanning’s escape

The shark approaches Fanning.

Wilson, who was Fanning’s opponent in the final, paddled towards him when the shark attacked. On Instagram overnight, Fanning posted a photo of the two hugging.

“So thankful to have this hug with Julian Wilson. This man came to my aid like a warrior!” Fanning wrote.

“It was by far the scariest thing I have ever been through and am still rattled. In our sport we always think about sharks and know we are in their domain.

“Many thanks to all the people that have reached out and sent their wishes.”

Wilson, for his part, was moved to tears in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

“It was pretty spooky. I saw the whole thing pop up behind him. It came up and he was wrestling it,” Wilson said.

“I saw him get knocked off his board and then a little wave popped up and I thought ‘he’s gone, he’s gone under’. I felt like I couldn’t get there quick enough.

“I’m just happy he’s alive.”

Fanning struggles with the shark.

Fanning was equally emotional, saying he was “just so stoked” and would be “happy to not even compete again”.

“It came up and got stuck in my leg rope,” Fanning said in an interview.

“I instantly just jumped away. It kept coming at my board and I was kicking and screaming. I just saw fins. I didn’t see teeth. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me. I punched it in the back.

“I was just about to start paddling again and all of a sudden I had this instinct that something was behind me. Then I started getting pulled under water and the thing came up and I was on my board and it was right there and I saw the whole thing, it was right there. I was getting dragged under by my leg rope,” he said.

“I felt like it was dragging me underwater and then my leg rope broke so I started swimming and screaming ... I just can’t believe it, I’m just tripping out.”

Fanning is expected to arrive on the Gold Coast today.